Councillor Says SCC Should ‘Stop the Drilling Now’ at Horse Hill as Directed by the Supreme Court

Published on: 28 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 29 Oct, 2024

A protest at Horse Hill in 2021. Photo: Weald Action Group website

By Martin Giles

Surrey County Council has clarified its position on planning enforcement action at Horse Hill near Horley and Gatwick Airport following complaints of inaction.

In June (2024) the Supreme Court issued a judgement on the challenge brought against SCC’s decision to grant planning permission for oil production at the Horse Hill site.

The court ruled that the County Council acted unlawfully by not considering the indirect, downstream emissions of the oil when burnt in the Environmental Statement submitted with the application.

Campaigner Sarah Finch at Horse Hill rally in November 2021. Photo Denise Laura Baker

An Environmental Statement was required because the proposal was considered to be Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development. SCC’s decision was therefore quashed and the application returned to be re-determined in light of the Supreme Court’s decision.

On Friday (October 25), in a statement, the county council said: “Following the Supreme Court decision, there is no planning permission for oil production at the site.

“The council’s position is that such oil production is therefore unlawful. Any development carried out in the absence of planning permission is vulnerable to formal enforcement action.

“The county council is continuing its enforcement investigation and will determine whether formal enforcement action is expedient. While the investigation is continuing it is not possible to comment further.”

Sam Peters

Sam Peters, speaking as a member of The Green Party in Guildford, commented: “The long-running legal challenge was brought by former local Green Party councillor Sarah Finch, who has campaigned for years against oil drilling in our countryside alongside excellent organisations such as Weald Action Group.

“We are thrilled that common sense finally prevailed. It was clearly absurd that councils could ignore the devastating impacts of burning the oil extracted when granting permissions for drilling.

“This case set national precedent with enormous importance for a long overdue transition away from polluting, expensive fossil fuels towards cheap, clean renewables. Coupled with reducing energy demand through measures such as insulation and improving public services, this transition will cut bills, improve health, create jobs, clean up our air and water, boost local economies, and more. Only the Green Party is committed to this just transition.

“This landmark decision must accelerate the fundamental change needed – and SCC must end drilling at Horse Hill which now continues unlawfully.”

Paul Kennedy

Paul Kennedy, a Mole Valley district councillor and parliamentary candidate for Mole Valley in  2015, 2017 and 2019, said:  “Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed oil drilling at Horse Hill and we fully support the Supreme Court judgement of 20 June quashing the flawed decision by Surrey County Council to grant planning permission there.

“The council was completely wrong to ignore the downstream impact on climate change of extracting, and inevitably burning, fossil fuels.

“It is outrageous that the Conservative administration at Surrey County Council has failed for over four months to take enforcement action to stop the drilling, or it seems do anything at all.

“This belated statement from Surrey County Council in response to complaints from campaigners and the local Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan does little more than repeat what the Supreme Court has already said. The council should properly respect and implement the judgement by taking action to stop the drilling now.”

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